How microplastics are likely helping to heat up the planet

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A new study suggests that atmospheric microplastics may be contributing to global warming by absorbing more heat than they reflect, especially when particles are black, red, yellow or blue

🔭 The context: Researchers from Fudan University and Duke University examined how microplastics of different colors and sizes interact with sunlight
• They found that colored and black particles absorb far more light than white plastics, with absorption levels up to 75 times higher than pristine, non-pigmented plastics

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Microplastics are already widespread across oceans, soils, rivers and the atmosphere
• If they also act as warming agents, plastic pollution may be worsening climate change in addition to harming ecosystems, wildlife and human health
• Scientists say current climate models do not yet account for this possible warming effect

⏭️ What’s next: Researchers stress that major uncertainties remain, including how many microplastics are in the atmosphere and how long they persist
• More studies are needed before the findings can guide policy, but experts say there are already strong reasons to reduce plastic production and pollution

💬 One quote: “We can say with confidence that overall they are warming agents.” — Drew Shindell, Duke University

📈 One stat: The study estimates atmospheric microplastics may warm the planet at about one-sixth the level of black carbon, a major soot-related pollutant

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